Southwestern California Birding

From Rugged Coast to coastal desert and interior grassland, Southwestern California Birding provides a large range of opportunities. California Condors have been released near the Carrizo plain and are also seen along the coast north of Morro Bay. Specialty species such as Island Scrub Jay and California Gnatcatcher are also seen in this part of the state.

Carrizo Plain
The Carrizo Plain is a large native grassland area very similar to what California's Central Valley used to be like. Of special interest here is a population of Le Contes Thrashers.

Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are home to many breeding seabirds including Ashy Storm-Petrel and Xantus's Murrelet. Santa Cruz Island is home to the endemic Island Scrub Jay.